EST. 2011

WHISKY RIVER RANCH WINERY

A state of the art custom crush facility in California’s Pope Valley

Whisky River Ranch Winery is a full-service winemaking facility in St. Helena, California 

We provide everything our clients need to make their wines, including professional winemaking consultation (18 years of experience) and cellar services. 

2000 Barrel Capacity

We are rated at 1200 tons crush capacity and can store 2000 barrels for wine ageing.

Advanced Equipment

We offer the latest technology in fruit processing equipment

Sanitary Facility

We offer a professional, clean and sanitary facility for our clients to process their wines.

Winemaking Consultation

We provide our clients with professional winemaking consulting services (18 years of experience)

Wine Analysis Services

We use Internationally acclaimed ETS Laboratories for complete analysis of our client’s wines.

Cellar Services

We offer a 6,000-square foot cave and an off-site temperature-controlled warehouse adjacent to the winery

Winemaking Talent

Head winemaker Jason Welch offers experience from 18+ vintages in California & beyond

Complete Control

We are skilled in managing winemaking for numerous important winery clients at a time

The Latest Winemaking Technologies

Whisky River Ranch Winery provides clients with the latest technology in fruit processing equipment, including:

  • Pellenc Crusher/Stemmer
  • Diemme Velvet 150 Bladder Press (12-ton whole cluster fruit)
  • Wilmes Bladder Press (5-ton whole cluster fruit)
  • Waukesha 130
  • Yamada Air Pump
  • Tank sizes ranging from 250 gals to 13,000 (large selection of tanks, foam insulated for extended storage)
  • Portable glycol tank heater
  • Mc Clain Ozone Machine
  • Aquatools barrel washer/KEW pressure washer
  • Plate and Frame Filter
  • 6,000 Square Foot Barrel Cave
  • Oneo Dev Micro Oxygenation Unit

Just 20 Minutes from St. Helena

Our custom crush facility is located in the beautiful Pope Valley (Napa County), just 20 minutes from St. Helena on the back side of Howell Mountain. Pope Valley is a magical place, with a rich winemaking history dating back to 1887. Rolling green hills are strewn with vineyards and olive groves, horses and cattle, making for a serene and awe-inspiring setting in which to make your wines. Our ranch totals approximately 160 acres and includes the historic Pope Valley Airport, and adjoining lodge and motel (no longer open for business). We grow grapes for some of the top wineries in the Napa Valley and have plans to expand our vineyards soon.


We were established with the goal that we would provide world-class winemaking services in an area of Napa that has been largely underserved. We have accomplished this and are looking forward to expanding and continuing our excellent service.

The primary focus for Whisky River Ranch Winery currently is to provide winery services (crush, fermentation, storage, bottling) to third party producers.  At this stage Whisky River is not producing its own wine for the retail market but future plans include a label.  The vineyard is leased and farmed by Renteria Vineyard Management, a well-established and reputable management company and all of the grapes grown at the property are sold to interested third parties.

Top Winemaking Talent

Whisky River Ranch is run by dependable, creative winemakers and staff including:

Jason Welch: Head Winemaker

Jason’s career spans over 17 vintages of wine experience in the Carmel Valley, Napa Valley, Sonoma and Lake County. His first start in the wine business was from the ground up, working in the cellar for Heller Estate in Carmel Valley. Quickly moving up to Cellar Master at Wattle Creek Winery in the Alexander Valley, he then was appointed to Assistant Winemaker for Cult producer Lewis Cellars in the Oak Knoll District of the Napa Valley.  Stints at Charles Krug, and The Ranch as a staff winemaker to learn the custom-crush side of the business followed.  He then was hired to take the reigns at Shannon Ridge Family of Wines in Lake County as Head Winemaker in charge of all winemaking operations.  Jason’s extensive wine production and winemaking skills are extremely well-rounded and respected. Also, he has a natural way with his clients, always making them feel comfortable and confident in the services he provides for their wine projects.  He lives on the ranch at the winery with his shadow (Golden Retriever) Ruby, and a 20lb crazy housecat named Kiyah!  He loves to garden (citrus is his passion), play golf, snow ski, cook and travel.

Luis Maldonado: Cellar Manager

Barbara Lloyd: Office Manager

The custom crush services from Whisky River Ranch were the perfect fit for our wine brand. We leveraged their facility and winemaking experience to expand our case production and increase the quality of our wine.

Wicker Vineyards

Join as a Custom Crush Client

Interested in joining as a custom crush client? Get in touch with us to discuss rates and availability. 

Phone

(707) 815-1339

Email

jason@
whiskyriverranch.com

Address

1844 Pope Canyon Rd, St Helena, CA 94574

    Future Plans

    We are excited to announce our vision for the future of Whisky River Ranch Winery. With our continued growth and success, we have decided to expand our winery and make significant upgrades to accommodate the demands of our ever growing client roster. These pictures will give you an idea of our vision for the future. We look forward to sharing it with you. 

    For more information, please contact Jason Welch at 707-815-1339.